Chapter 68 68. Race
Tabitha’s POV
I don’t know how I made it through that dinner, but somehow I did. The moment it ended, I bolted straight to my room and stayed there until noon the next day, hiding like a cockroach under a rock.
When lunch comes, I tell my mom I’m feeling sick when she comes to ask why I didn’t join them at the table. It feels exactly like being back in high school, too lazy to go to class and pretending to be sick just to get a free pass.
She walks over and lays her hand on my forehead. “You’re a bit warm, my poor darling,” she murmurs, brushing my hair back with gentle fingers.
Her voice is full of worry, and I almost feel bad for lying. I really am warm, but it has nothing to do with a fever. Every time I remember what Reed shoved into my head last night, that stupid scene of me looking wrecked and dazed on the picnic blanket, the heat rushes back to my cheeks like I’m reliving it all over again.
“I’m okay, Mom,” I mumble, forcing a weak smile. “Just… tired. Or maybe it’s the weather, I don’t know.”
She sighs softly, gives my hand a squeeze, then leaves the room with one last concerned look.
“My poor Tabi. All this tropical weather is probably wearing you out,” she says, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “I’ll have the maids bring you some light food and tea. Just stay in bed and don’t worry about anything else today, alright?”
“Okay. Thank you, Mom.”
She smiles and kisses me on the forehead before heading out to inform the maids. The door closes, and guilt twists in my stomach. Lying to her feels wrong, but I don’t see any other way. Avoiding the brothers might be pathetic, but how am I supposed to face them when every time they’re near, my brain just stops working? I seriously need to get a hold of myself.
A few minutes later, the maids come in with a tray—chicken soup, a plate of fruit, and some medicine. I thank them, and they leave quietly. After forcing down a few spoonfuls, I slump back on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Avoiding them forever isn’t possible. I need to find a loophole in this insane mate bond before it gets any worse. But how? The Aldair library is a dead end, especially after the previous stunt I pulled there. I won’t be able to come anywhere near that place without the brothers sniffing something suspicious on me.
I let out a long sigh, sinking deeper into the sheets—then my phone buzzes on the nightstand.
It’s a message from Evelyn.
Evelyn:
hello! u busy? :))
Huh. I don’t expect her to actually message me. I roll on my side and type a reply.
Me:
Not really.
Me:
What’s up?
I stare at the screen, watching the three little dots flicker on and off. I guess I’m not the only one who’s got plenty of free time on her hands. A second later, more text bubbles pop up.
Evelyn:
are you coming on saturday??
I frown and immediately reply.
Me:
What’s on saturday?
Evelyn:
you’re joking, right? :O
A second later, she sends a GIF of a guy clutching his chest in fake horroI snort, biting back a laugh as I stare at the screen.
Me:
Uhm… no? Am I missing something?
Evelyn:
oh my god.
Before I can type anything else, my phone lights up again. This time, it’s an incoming video call. I hesitate for a moment before answering. Evelyn’s face fills the screen, her hair tied up in a messy bun. She’s in her room, and from what I can see behind her, it’s a mess of clothes, pillows, and half-finished iced coffee.
“Tell me you’re joking!” she says immediately.
I let out a small, awkward laugh. “About what?”
She slaps a hand over her mouth. “Oh my god, you really don’t know what’s on Saturday?”
“No. Should I be worried? Am I in danger or something?” I say, half-jokingly.
Evelyn throws her head back dramatically. “Tabi, the Tropical Thunder Circuit starts on Saturday!”
“The tropical what now?”
She stares at me in disbelief. “The Tropical Thunder Circuit! You seriously haven’t heard of it?”
I blink, confused. “Can’t say I have.”
Wow. I feel totally dumb right now. It’s like I’m hearing some alien language I can’t quite understand. It’s either this girl is messing with me or this is really something that I don’t know for some reason.
“It’s the biggest thing here every summer!” She gasps and sips on her iced coffee. “Have you been living under a rock?”
I chuckle. “Close enough. I’ve been away from the island for five years. So… if this is some new trend, I probably missed it.”
“Aha, that explains it!” Evelyn snaps her fingers. She looks so relieved that I’m not totally dumb. “Okay, so the Tropical Thunder Circuit is this huge motorcycle drag racing event that’s been happening in Kaelara every summer for like the past—uh—three? No, four years! It’s become sort of a major thing for racing enthusiasts and tourists alike,” she explains.
“A motorcycle racing? On the island? Huh. Now, that’s really something I’ve never heard before.”
That actually sounds cool.
“It’s practically a tradition by now because it’s so thrilling to watch the racers compete!” Evelyn blabs giddily. “But actually, this year’s circuit will be even bigger than the previous ones because the event’s management snagged many high-profile sponsors. The island’s basically a tourism heaven right now. It’s summer, the beaches are packed, and now the circuit’s blown up even beyond the island. It’s crazy, I tell ya. Even all our hotels are fully booked.”
Interesting. The only major event I remember Kaelara ever having was the Moon Harvest Festival—which is still a few months away. But now there’s a racing event that attracts visitors from outside the island? Kaelara has definitely changed a lot since I left.
“I’m honestly shocked you didn’t know, especially since two of your stepbrothers are racing this year.”
“What?” Now, it’s my time to gasp.
“Yeah!” she says, tilting her head as if confused by my reaction. “Reed and Luca are both in it. Actually, Reed’s been a regular since the circuit started, but Luca’s only raced twice. People are hyped that he’s coming back this year.”
“Oh…” is all I manage to say. I mean, I’m not shocked about Reed. I always see him with his monster of a bike. But Luca? I didn’t expect that the decent prim and proper guy of the Aldairs would be into some intense sports.
Evelyn squints, studying me through the screen. “Wait, aren’t you close with them? I thought you’d know this kind of stuff.”
I let out a forced laugh. “We haven’t really talked much lately. They’ve been… busy.” No, they’re not. I was actively avoiding them. But I’m not gonna tell her that.
Evelyn nods slowly. “Right, right. Makes sense. I heard from Rhett that they’ve been training non-stop since the qualifiers.” She perks up again. “So! Are you coming to watch?”
“Uh…” I stall. “I’m not sure yet.” I say tentatively.
“What? You’re not planning to support your stepbros?” she teases.
I blush and clear my throat. “I’ll think about it,” I mumble, fumbling for an excuse. “I have, uh, something planned next week.”
“Fine.” Evelyn sighs dramatically. “But if you change your mind, hit me up, okay? I’ll save you a VIP seat near the front. Although I doubt you’ll be needing it considering that you’ve got family on the roster too.”
“Alright,” I say with a small smile. “I appreciate it. Thanks.”
“See ya!” She blows me a kiss before ending the call.
I stare at the now blank screen of my phone. A race, huh?
I picture Reed and Luca in fitted racing suits that hug every line of their bodies. The fabric pulls across their shoulders and thighs. Their helmets hang from one hand while the sun hits their faces just right, making their eyes look sharper than ever. The thought alone makes my pulse skip. Nope. That’s a bad idea.I can barely think straight when they’re in plain clothes—seeing them like that would probably kill me!
The logical part of me says I should stay home. I’m supposed to be avoiding them, not drooling over them in public for pete’s sake! Besides, if they’ll be busy at the event, that means the estate will be quiet. For sure Evren and Jace will attend the circuit even if they’re not going to participate in the race. I’m sure Mom and Alpha Emery will also attend to support the brothers too. So I can have the place to myself. Maybe I can sneak into the restricted section of the library again without the prying eyes of the brothers.
Yeah. That’s the smart thing to do… Right?
But Reed and Luca’s athletic bodies flash in my mind again. Damn it! I hate myself sometimes.